Eggplant and Tarragon
Beneficial Pair — Good Match
Tarragon's scent-deterrent reputation near eggplant is inherited folklore rather than a tested claim - we aren't aware of a study measuring reduced flea beetle damage from nearby tarragon specifically. The propagation detail below is a separate, concrete fact worth knowing regardless of the pest question.
Mechanism: Pest Masking (Scent Confusion)
Tarragon's aromatic, anise-scented foliage is cited as a general deterrent against flea beetles and other eggplant pests, following the same broad 'strong-smelling herb confuses pests' reasoning used elsewhere on this site, without documented chemistry specific to eggplant's actual pest pressure.
Tarragon's role near eggplant follows the familiar strong-scent folklore pattern seen elsewhere on this site, but there's a more concrete, practical detail about the plant itself that matters more for actually getting this pairing established.
Getting the Right Tarragon in the First Place
True French tarragon, the variety worth growing for its flavor, is sterile and can't be started from seed - it has to be propagated from a division of an existing plant or a rooted cutting. Seed packets labeled simply 'tarragon' are almost always Russian tarragon, a different and much blander-tasting plant. Before planting this pairing expecting the genuine herb, make sure you're sourcing an actual French tarragon division rather than seed, since the difference in usefulness - for cooking, at least - is substantial.
Spacing
Tarragon's 18-24 inch spacing suits a permanent border position at the edge of an eggplant bed rather than close interplanting, since true French tarragon is a slow-establishing perennial that benefits from staying undisturbed rather than being crowded by an annual crop's yearly bed prep.
Watch For
French tarragon - the culinary variety with real flavor - doesn't set viable seed and can only be propagated by division or rooted cuttings, unlike the seed-grown Russian tarragon sometimes sold as a substitute, which has a much milder flavor. If you're starting this pairing from scratch, buy a division or established plant rather than seed if you want the genuine culinary herb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my tarragon seeds germinate?
If you're growing true French tarragon, that's expected - the plant is sterile and doesn't produce viable seed at all. It has to be started from a division or cutting of an existing plant rather than seed, which trips up a lot of gardeners who don't realize this ahead of time.